CBE Launches First Business PreLUsion at Lehigh

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An ambitious group of 14 first-year students and three upperclass student leaders just completed the inaugural CBE preLUsion program called Launch into Business. PreLUsion is a three-day pre-orientation experience offered in August for first-year students to explore a topic of their choice and engage with students, faculty, and staff who share a similar interest. This was the first year for a business preLUsion program. Led by Assistant Dean Emily Ford, CBE Undergraduate Programs Office Coordinator Keith Gustafson, CBE seniors Emma Resnick and Brett Rothberg, and CBE junior Alana Hill, Launch into Business provided an opportunity for first-year students to get a taste of all the CBE has to offer. The program kicked off with a welcome lunch where students got to interact with faculty and staff, including Professors Frank Gunter, Marija Baltrusaitiene, Joshua Ehrig, David Griffith, and Rauch Center for Business Communications Director Jim Santanasto. After touring the Rauch Business Center, the first-year students met with CBE Undergraduate Programs Office staff and academic advisors.

During the three-day program, participants discovered the many wonderful resources Lehigh offers CBE students. CBE Study Abroad Advisor Jodeen Gemmel shared study abroad options for business students, and Jennifer Bennett, CBE Liaison and Assistant Director in the Center for Career and Professional Development, introduced students to career education resources. Participants also learned about co-curricular opportunities from various CBE club leaders.

In addition to exploring on-campus opportunities, the Launch into Business students hit the road to learn from experienced professionals through on-site visits to Urban Outfitters (founded by a Lehigh alum) in Philadelphia and Crayola in Easton. These two companies welcomed the students with open arms, giving them behind-the-scenes tours of their facilities, as well as answering their questions about how their businesses function. And the participants raved about their visit with Lehigh alum Pete Ruggiero, Executive Vice President, Global Operations & Information Solutions at Crayola, who shared his educational and career path and gave them helpful tips as they begin their Lehigh education.

Assistant Dean Ford expresses her gratefulness to the participants, student leaders, faculty, staff, and businesses who made the first CBE preLUsion such a success: “It was so wonderful watching this cohort of students learn from Lehigh’s amazing faculty, staff, and students while building friendships. I am especially thankful to our student leaders who made this program run so smoothly, and to our contacts at Urban Outfitters and Crayola, who were so gracious in hosting the Launch into Business students. I am very much looking forward to planning our second preLUsion program next summer!”